HBO Renews 'Getting On' for a Second Season

Despite mediocre ratings, HBO has opted to grant a second season renewal to its hospital-set freshman comedy 'Getting On.'

Based on the British series of the same name, 'Getting On' was adapted for American television by 'Big Love' creators Mark V. Olsen & Will Scheffer, and shines a spotlight on the often odd working lives of the staff working in the female geriatric wing of a run-down California hospital. In the tradition of comedies like 'Scrubs,' 'Getting On' blends wacky sitcom scenarios with sometimes poignant instances of medical drama and battles with hospital bureaucracy.

TV comedy veterans Laurie Metcalf ('Roseanne,' 'The Big Bang Theory'), Alex Borstein ('MadTV,' 'Family Guy') and Niecy Nash ('Reno 911,' 'The Soul Man') star in the series, as the wing's head doctor, head nurse, and an additional nurse working in the wing, respectively. Joining these talented ladies is constantly working character actor Mel Rodriguez, who plays a new addition to the wing's nursing staff. Rodriguez can also currently be seen on FOX sitcom 'Enlisted.'

While the six episode debut season of 'Getting On' wasn't exactly a hit, it earned critical raves, and is said to be a favorite of HBO brass. Season 2 will also consist of six episodes, mirroring the brevity of the show's BBC counterpart.

One question mark heading out of this announcement is whether HBO will allow Metcalf to remain the female lead on upcoming CBS sitcom 'The McCarthys.' Metcalf took the role late last year, after Oscar-nominee Jacki Weaver bowed out.

Since she was already under contract to HBO at the time, the project was entered into with the knowledge that it would be put in second position to Metcalf's 'Getting On' obligations. Now that the latter has been renewed, it's completely up to HBO whether they allow her to work on both series.

That said, with 'Getting On's seasons being so short, I'd assume a deal can probably be worked out that would allow Metcalf in star in both projects simultaneously. She'd hardly be the first actress to appear on a cable show and a network show at the same time.

So, after years of not much it is finally raining and pouring for the Rosanne alum. Shame neither show is/sounds like anything to watch. Getting On was just flat and not worth watching. And the Catholic Family show sounds just right up the (Nazi) ex-Popes alley. This is probably why Metcalf has to try and pick up the pieces after Oscar Nominated Aussie Jackie Weaver rightly dropped out.

Anonymous

Message Posted On Feb 20th, 2014, 12:47 am

What happens when they run out of the original Brit episodes to copy and are forced to write something new? I can not see this going beyond whatever seasons the Brit series ran.